Train-Truck fatality accident near El Reno

Roy S. Dickinson P.C. — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:53:14 +0000

According to KOCO news, a tractor-trailer rig and a Union Pacific Train collided this morning (7/18/2011), killing one. KOCO posted pictures of the accident. It is clear this is a crossing which is unprotected by lights and gates. Studies have shown that crossings with lights and gates (if properly maintained) are at least 90% less likely to cause such tragedies. When will the railroad industry do the right thing and use it’s vast resources to prevent such needless tragedies? More sad news. I have personally litigated at least five accidents on this stretch of U.P. line in the last several years. It is infuriating that U.P. won’t do more to protect the public, but rather just keeps going faster and faster through our towns as the years go by. Going to keep trying to make their behavior change every way I can, both as a lawyer and a citizen.

Pedestrian Killed by Train in Norman

Roy S. Dickinson P.C. — Mon, 16 May 2011 17:07:04 +0000

“PEDESTRIAN KILLED BY BNSF TRAIN NEAR OKLAHOMA UNIVERSITY CAMPUS (Norman, Oklahoma * May 14, 2011) An as-yet unidentified, either by name or gender, pedestrian died Saturday morning at 11:31 A.M. when the victim was struck by a Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway train at the Brooks Street railroad crossing near the OU campus. The victim died at the scene as officers from both the Norman Police Dept. and the University of Oklahoma Police Dept. responded. Police said the accident will be further investigated by the NPD Collision Investigation and Reconstruction Team as well as the Criminal Investigations Division and the BNSF Police.”

I have handled a number of pedestrian-train accidents. Although most people assume the worst about victims of this kind of tragedy, often these accidents occur as a result of a locomotive failing to sound it’s horn properly, or other factors which make it difficult or impossible for a motorist or pedestrian to properly perceive impending danger. For example, I have had several reports of signal lights failing in Norman recently. There is really only one way to know the truth about any train accident, and that is to obtain information from the train’s data event recorder, and often, now days, many trains have actual video recorders which can provide answers to a grieving family. There is a huge amount of evidence which the law (and railroad company policy) requires the train corporations to obtain after a catastrophic accident. An experienced train attorney knows where these documents are, and what exactly to look for. The family and friends of the victim of this tragic accident are in my thoughts and prayers.

Roy Dickinson